Dianthus plant named &#39;WP10 SAB06&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Dianthus  plant named ‘WP10 SAB06’ which is characterized by compact plant habit and fragrant double flowers which are vibrant orange-pink in color. In combination, these characteristics set ‘WP10 SAB06’ apart from all other existing varieties of  Dianthus  known to the inventor.

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e)of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/398,971 filed on Jul. 2, 2010entitled DIANTHUS plant named ‘WP10 SAB06’.

GENUS

DIANTHUS

SPECIES

×hybrida

DENOMINATION

‘WP10 SAB06’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of hardyDianthus, also known as garden pink, which is grown for use as aflowering plant for pots and containers and for planting in the gardenand landscape. The new cultivar is known botanically as Dianthus×hybridaand will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name ‘WP10 SAB06’.

‘WP10 SAB06’ is a complex hybrid plant that is the product of a longterm breeding program conducted by the inventor in a cultivated area ofHoundspool, Dawlish, Devon, United Kingdom. The inventor selected ‘WP10SAB06’ in 2006 for its fragrant flowers which are double and vibrantorange-pink in color.

‘WP10 SAB06’ resulted from the controlled pollination between twounreleased and unpatented selections of Dianthus from the inventor'sbreeding program, namely Selection ‘Marcella’ as male parent andSelection ‘SCA 03.10’ as female parent.

‘WP10 SAB06’ is distinguishable from the male parent as follows: Theflowers of the male parent are double and orange-pink in color, whereasthe flowers of ‘WP10 SAB06’ are double and vibrant orange-pink in color.‘WP10 SAB06’ is distinguishable from the female parent as follows: Thefemale plant has a spreading vegetative habit with thin leaves andproduces semi-double flowers with smooth edged petals , whereas ‘WP10SAB06’ has a compact habit and broader leaves and produces fully doubleflowers with crenellated edged petals.

The variety of Dianthus which is considered by the inventor to mostclosely resemble ‘WP10 SAB06’ is Dianthus ‘WP08 ULR03’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 21,396). ‘WP08 ULR03’ is similarly double. However, ‘WP08 ULR03’ hasa less compact habit, the foliage is grey-green and the flowers are pinkin color rather than the vibrant orange-pink color of ‘WP10 SAB06’.

Asexual reproduction of ‘WP10 SAB06’ was first accomplished by theinventor in 2006 in a cultivated area of Houndspool, United Kingdom. Themethod of asexual propagation used was vegetative cuttings. Since thattime the characteristics of the new cultivar have been determined stableand are reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent thecharacteristics of the new Dianthus cultivar ‘WP10 SAB06’. These traitsin combination distinguish this cultivar from all other commercialvarieties known to the inventor. ‘WP10 SAB06’ has not been tested underall possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed withvariations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions, however,without any variance in genotype.

1. Dianthus ‘WP10 SAB06’ exhibits a compact habit.

2. The flowers of Dianthus ‘WP10 SAB06’ are double.

3. The flowers of Dianthus ‘WP10 SAB06’ are vibrant orange-pink incolor.

4. Dianthus ‘WP10 SAB06’ blooms from February through October.

5. Dianthus ‘WP10 SAB06’ exhibits grey-green foliage.

6. At nine months of age, the height of the foliage mound of Dianthus‘WP10 SAB06’ is 15 cm to 20 cm, and the width is 10 cm to 13 cm.

7. Dianthus ‘WP10 SAB06’ is perennial and is hardy to −15° C.

8. Dianthus ‘WP10 SAB06’ is suitable for use as a flowering plant inpots and containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Dianthus variety ‘WP10 SAB06’ showing colors as true as it isreasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.Colors in the drawings may differ from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actualcolors of the new variety ‘WP10 SAB06’.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 1 depicts an entire flowering plant.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of the flower.

All drawings were made of 9 months old plants which have been grown in1.5-litre containers in a cold glasshouse in Devon, United Kingdom. Nochemicals were used to treat the plants. All drawings were made usingconventional techniques and although colors may appear different fromactual colors due to light reflectance they are as accurate as possibleby conventional photography.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new cultivar ‘WP10SAB06’. Data was collected in spring from 1.5-litre container plants inspring, and grown indoors in Devon, United Kingdom. The colordeterminations are in accordance with the 2002 edition of The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society,London, England, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are used. The colors of stems, leaves, calyx, and epicalyxhave been noted on plants which retain the characteristic waxy bloom ofDianthus. No chemicals were used to treat the plants. Growing conditionsare typical to other Dianthus.

-   Botanical: Classification:-   Family: Caryophyllaceae.-   Genus: Dianthus.-   Species: ×hybrida-   Denomination: ‘WP10 SAB06’.-   Parentage: A complex Dianthus hybrid whose immediate parents are    unreleased hybrids from the inventor's breeding program, identified    as follows:-   Male parent: Unpatented selection of Dianthus from the inventor's    breeding program, known as Selection ‘Marcella’.-   Female parent: Unpatented selection of Dianthus from the inventor's    breeding program, known as Selection ‘SCA 03.10’.-   Plant type: Flowering perennial.-   Use of plant: As a flowering plant in containers, window boxes,    planters, pots and the garden.-   Bloom period: February-October in Devon, UK.-   Plant habit: A compact mound with many branches and stems upright.-   Height of plant: 15 cm to 20 cm after 9 months.-   Width of plant: 10 cm to 13 cm after 9 months.-   Hardiness: Has survived in temperatures of minus 15 Centigrade,    equivalent to USDA Hardiness Zone 7.-   Root system: Many fibrous roots.-   Propagation method: Vegetative stem cuttings.-   Cultural requirements: Grow in full sun, in well drained and    moderately fertile soil, keep well fertilized and watered.-   Diseases and pests: No particular resistance or susceptibility to    Dianthus diseases and pests are known to the inventor.-   Time to root cuttings: 10-14 days are required to produce roots on a    vegetative cutting.-   Temperature for rooting: A minimum of 15° C. air temperature and    21° C. base temperature at root level is required to produce roots    on the cuttings.-   Facilities for rooting: Mist propagation unit is required for    satisfactory rooting of cuttings.-   Crop time (from planting a rooted cutting): 3 months starting in the    Spring and 6 months starting in the Fall.-   Plant stem:    -   -   Shape.—Cylindrical.        -   Length.—7 cm to 10 cm.        -   Diameter.—3 mm in diameter.        -   Surface.—Glabrous and glaucous.        -   Color.—Ranges between N189A and N189B.        -   Branching.—Numerous shoots from the axils of the lower            leaves.        -   Internode length.—From 1 mm (lowest internode) to 40 mm            (uppermost internode).        -   Node dimensions.—4 mm in diameter and 3 mm in length.-   Leaf:    -   -   Type.—Evergreen.        -   Shape.—Linear.        -   Division.—Simple.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Decurrent.        -   Venation.—Faintly visible.        -   Margins.—Entire.        -   Arrangement.—Opposite and spiraling on stem.        -   Attachment.—Sheathing.        -   Surface (adaxial and abaxial).—Glaucous.        -   Stipules.—Absent.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Dimensions.—Length: 5 cm to 8 cm. Width: 5 mm to 8 mm.        -   Color.—Adaxial surface: N189B. Abaxial surface: 189A.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Flower stem.—Length: 8-9 cm. Width: 3 mm. Stem strength:            Erect. Stem color: Ranges between N189A and N189B.        -   Inflorescence.—Cymose.        -   Type.—Salviform, symmetrical.        -   Development.—Singly, in sequence from the uppermost bud.-   Buds:    -   -   Shape.—Globular.        -   Dimensions.—13 mm in length and 8 mm in width.        -   Color.—Ranges between 139B and 143B.        -   Surface texture.—Glabrous.-   Flowers:    -   -   Number.—3 to 5 per stem.        -   Pedicel dimensions.—8 cm to 9 cm in length and 3 mm in            width.        -   Pedicel strength.—Erect.        -   Pedicel color.—Ranges between N189A and N189B.        -   Flower dimensions.—Length (including calyx): 35 to 40 mm.            Diameter: 35 mm.        -   Flower shape.—Circular.-   Flower profile: Reflexed.    -   -   Lastingness.—10 days at 20° C., on the plant.        -   Fragrance.—Moderate to strong, spicy perfume.        -   Flowering period.—February to October, in Devon, UK.-   Corolla:    -   -   Shape (upper part of corolla).—Flat Convex.        -   Shape (lower part of corolla).—Concave.        -   Petal arrangement.—Persistent, apopetalous, overlapping.        -   Petal margin.—Crenate-dentate.        -   Indentation.—Varies between 0 mm and 2 mm.        -   Petal texture.—Soft.        -   Flower type.—Double.        -   Petal number.—30 to 35 true petals.        -   Petal dimension.—Length: 38 mm to 40 mm. Width: 20 mm to 22            mm.        -   Color pattern.—Blade is bright carmine, self color.        -   Color of upper surface.—Ground color of blade: 46D to 52A.            Color of band across blade: No band. Color of middle of            strap: 145C. Color of base of strap: 145D.        -   Color of lower surface.—Ground color of blade: 47D. Color of            middle of strap: 145C. Color of base of strap: 145D.        -   Petal shape.—Obdeltoid.        -   Petal apex.—Fan shaped.        -   Petal base.—Strap shaped, tapering towards base.        -   Petal surface.—Glabrous.-   Calyx:    -   -   Shape.—Cylindrical.        -   Sepal apex.—Subacute.        -   Sepal base.—Fused.        -   Longitudinal profile.—Flat.        -   Dimensions.—Length: 20 mm. Diameter: 5-8 mm. Sepals: Fused            to 5 mm below the apex.        -   Sepals number.—5.        -   Sepals color, outer surface.—Ranges between 137B and N138B            towards sepal apex and between 144C and 144D towards sepal            base.        -   Sepals color, inner surface.—144B to 144C.        -   Anthocyanin.—Absent.        -   Splitting.—Not observed.-   Epicalyx:    -   -   Bracts number.—1 pair of two.        -   Shape of outer lobe.—Acuminate.        -   Dimensions.—Width: 7 mm to 8 mm. Length: 6 mm to 7 mm.        -   Color.—Predominantly N138A; 144C and 144D towards margin.        -   Anthocyanin.—Absent.-   Bracteoles:    -   -   Number.—1 pair of two.        -   Dimensions.—Width: 10 mm. Length: 9 mm.        -   Color.—Predominantly N138A; 144C and 144D towards margin.        -   Anthocyanin.—Absent.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Number: 10-15.        -   Filaments.—Number: 10 to 15. Color: White.        -   Dimensions.—Length: 20 mm in length and 0.5 mm in width.        -   Anthers.—Number: 10 to 15. Color: Cream to light pink.            Length: 2 mm; diameter: 0.5 mm. Attachment: Dorsifixed.        -   Pollen.—Present.        -   Pollen color.—N155A.        -   Style.—Number: 2 to 4. Shoulder: Absent. Color: White.            Length: 20 mm to 25 mm. Width: 0.5 mm.        -   Stigma.—Number: Single. Color: Light pink to light purple.            Dimensions: 20 mm when mature.        -   Ovary.—Position: Superior. Dimensions: Length: 8 mm to            10 mm. Diameter: 6 mm to 8 mm. Shape: Rhomboid. Color (upper            surface): 145A. Color (lower surface): 145C.        -   Seed.—Seed has not been found during repeated observations.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dianthus plant named ‘WP10 SAB06’ asdescribed and illustrated herein.